Share Your Toys

Steal This Film II, examines the concept of piracy today.  Unlike pirates of the past who stole material objects such as those in Peter Pan, pirates of today reproduce and distribute the unauthorized intellectual properties of others.  During the interviews in Steal This Film II it seems that people see it as wrong to take material objects from others because the owners lose those objects.  On the other hand if you take the intellectual properties the owner still maintains their properties, and all you have done is shared knowledge with others.  Is this not what your parents taught you?  That you should share with others, and according to the dictionary sharing is, “A part or portion of a larger amount that is divided among a number of people.”

What if you feel that piracy may be wrong because ultimately you are taking money out of the creator’s pocket?  The information that you have decided to share with everyone is how the creator makes his or her money, if you give away this knowledge for free why would people pay for it?  Some people think of it like Robin Hood, those people (you must make sure to separate them from your own group) have enough money, such as popular movie stars, they will not even notice the lost sales from you sharing with people that may not otherwise have the means to see this piece of work.

Maybe we are not taught the distinctions between stealing and sharing when we are younger.  In Information Feudalism: Who Owns the Knowledge Economy, Drahos focuses on the medical industry.  If we have the information to cure disease, shouldn’t this information be available to everyone?  We are taught to act ethically and be moral.  Moral is being concerned with right and wrong.  Clearly if someone’s life is in danger and you are able to save them with little harm to yourself the ethical or moral thing to do would be to help them.  When you look at this on a larger scale than one or a few individuals the concept of harm to yourself may change, if you give a little bit of everything to everyone, eventually you have nothing.

The idea of a free market is eventually someone has to pay.  For an individual or group to further society there has to be an incentive above altruism.  So does the concept of piracy endorse communism?  If everyone is treated the same, then we would have no reason to keep information from others because it does not benefit use to hide information.  By sharing information we will become a more advanced society that will prosper.

This is exactly what Karl Marx thought when he wrote The Communist Manifesto. However when you deal with real people there are more factors to consider then economics alone.  If you work harder than others, but you do not gain anything more, then why try?

So what affect does piracy have on society?  Piracy influences a more knowledgeable society.  No matter which way you word it piracy is illegal.  Its not a question of ethics, it is a question of criminal law.   At the end of Steal This Film II we get a glimpse into some final thoughts of the public being interviewed, and it seems that they are proud of being pirates, thieves, or whatever you want to call it.  If they are proud to be thieves and we label them thieves, self-fulfilling prophecy tells us that they will become thieves.

What we are left with is a society of knowledgeable thieves.

Future Travel Today

Today Google reported that they have been testing self driving cars that have traveled between the San Fransisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.  In total Googles self driving cars have logged over 140,000 miles.  Although the cars do not need a driver, in all tests Google has had a driver that could take control if a problem exists.

The goal of Google’s new project is to create a car of the future, that would reduce the number of lives lost in an automobile accident.  When I first read Googles announcement, the first thought that popped in my head was of the Navitron Autodrive from The Simpsons.

The Navitron Autodrive was a system used by truckers, so that they would not have to do any real work.  During the episode Homers stumbles upon the Navitron Autodrive when he falls asleep while driving and the system takes control and saves his life.  Later in the episode he begins running his mouth at truck stops, where he is confronted by other truck drivers that tell him to keep is mouth shut.  If the secret of the Navitron Autodrive were to be discovered they would all be out of a job.

In this example, The Simpsons shows how Google’s self driving system can have other effects than just reducing automobile accidents.  If Google’s self driving system becomes effective it could have a drastic change on our economy.  There would no longer be a need for drivers of trucks, taxis, etc…

Beyond the negatives there would be positive outcomes besides the reduction in automobile accidents.  System do not feel exhaust, in turn many of the problem of logistics would be in the past.  The Department of Transportations rule that states commercial drivers can drive no more than ten hours without a break would be irrelevant.

Interactive Screen

This weeks reading The Language of New Media by Lev Manovich shows us the transformation of technology from analog to digital.  In section 2 Manovich discusses the interface of new media while guiding us through a tour of the modern computer screen.  The genealogy of the computer screen is broken down into three distinct stages.  He begins with the idea of the screen being a static image such as a painting or photograph.  The next stage is the screen as a dynamic image brought about during the time of cinema.  Manovish finishes his genealogy of the screen with “real time.”  Real time is brought about during World War II with the success of radar technology.

Manovich ends with “real time” as the last version of the screen.  Has the screen gone through any other changes since Manovich wrote The Language of New Media?  It is interesting that this weeks reading focused on the history of technology more specifically the screen.  This also happens to be a time when television is apparently making a significant change.

With the recent release of Apple TV and Google TV only a few weeks away, both companies see their products as huge innovations.  Earlier today an ABC News headline read, “Google TV, The Future of Interactive Television?”   If Manovich wrote The Language of New Media today, would he add Interactive Screen?

Google claims that it is, “A new way of to think about television…. It will transform TV the same way smartphones transformed the telephone.”  Apple’s take is that it will become a center of both your digital and entertainment life.

It seems that both the Apple TV and Google TV fit into what Manovich is trying to demonstrate.  Manovich writes about having multiple screens open at a time, Google TV will be taking another step forward from Manovich’s idea of multiple screens.  With Google TV the idea of multiple screens will mean viewing two different forms of media at a time.  One of the benefits of Google TV, will be the ability to watch shows and navigate the internet at the same time (duel view).

We are building off the technologies of the past to create new media.  It is the hope that both of these technologies will once again change our interactions with technology.

Both Apple TV and Google TV also seem to relate with Bolter and Grusin’s idea of Remediation.  What these devices are doing is taking technology from various different platforms and combining them all into one.  Now your television will be used for watching shows and movies.  However you will also be able to use it for internet or apps.

No Files

Today, when I logged into my Google Groups account I ran across a rather disturbing message, “Google Groups will no longer be supporting the Pages and Files features.  Starting November 1, you won’t be able to upload new content.”  I find it a bit odd that I have not seen a story about this anywhere so far.  Usually any little announcement Google makes has a huge impact, and is covered by multiple tech news websites.

Why has Google decided to remove file sharing from groups?

Google has decided that if Google Groups no longer offers file sharing more people will move over to Google Documents.  Accordingly when they remove the pages function from Google Groups, they hope that more people will begin using Google Sites.

In the announcement Google stated, “Even though we know discontinuing these features may inconvenience some of you in the short term, we believe that this move will improve your experience storing and sharing files.”

I currently use Google Documents, however; I also use Google Groups.  I would prefer to keep my Google Groups accounts, as they are.  Having file sharing helps keep everything organized to each project when you are working with a team.  Google feels that some people may be using Google Groups to share documents only, and this is not the intended goal of Google Groups.  Rather the goal is to provide an area for open discussions between group members.

Ultimately I feel it is up to the users personal preference whether they want to use Google Documents or Groups, unfortunately Google disagrees.  Being able to share files and have a discussion on the same page is very convenient.  With the change in policy only a little over a month away, I guess I should get used to using Google Documents with group members.

Age of Art

Walter Benjamin’s The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction is a response to the changes of art through technology such as the camera.  Benjamin writes, “Mechanical reproduction of a work of art, however, represents something new.”  Even though you are reproducing art, the canvas that it is presented on changes the view of what you are seeing.

Benjamin writes of how photography and then film have both deepened  our apperception.  We can now analyze situations more precisely with film than painting.  This brings up a notion, does film have a greater value to science or the arts.  With film we can explore the world through many different perspectives such as slow motion, close ups , etc…

The article goes on to show how history has changed our perceptions.  When Greek Architects designed buildings, they worried about the viewers perspectives.  Structures such as the The Parthenon, were built based on mathematics.  To view The Parthenon is to see a perfect structure from all perspectives, however the structure is slightly curved to give the perception of being perfect from all viewpoints.

More recently during the post modern era of architecture buildings are designed to be of both utility and provide ornate beauty.

Such as Frank Gehry’s Disney Concert Hall that was developed to provide acoustics indoors (utility) and represent a fish swimming outside (beauty).

Both of these structures are following a principle of technology and art during there respective eras in history.  In Benjamin’s words, “The history of every art form shows critical epochs” so what is the notable event today?  Is it using computers to show art on a screen, or is it something else?  Here is a video clip that a ran across this week that is showing “Art on Snow.”

Apple Developer Guidelines

Last night, I sent out tweet out mentioning Apple’s recent statement regarding lifting the restrictions placed on third party application development guidelines.  I felt today, that maybe I should go a little more in depth as to what this statement means.   The developer guidelines being addressed here concern the development of applications for the iPhone and iPad.  Earlier this year Apple, decided to restrict application development to only languages such as Objective C, C, C++, or JavaScript.  At the time, it seemed this change was directed towards Adobe who had just released its Flash CS5.  The effects of this restriction greatly limited the number of possible application developers, in turn limiting the content available for download at the App Store.

So what does this restriction revamp mean to you?

With the restriction lifted on third party development platforms, more developers are expected to begin work on apps for the iPhone and iPad.  However, with the restriction lifted, Apple has changed some of its other guidelines as far as accepting apps.  Apple is expecting a greater quality of work from its developers now that they have more tools available to them for development.  In there statement on Thursday Apple stated, “For the first time we are publishing the App Store Review Guidelines to help developers understand how to review submitted apps.”  It seems the goal of Apple is to create more quality apps, rather than as Apple puts it, “We don’t  need anymore Fart apps.”

With the third party restriction lifted developers will be able to use the Adobe’s Packager for iPhone, which will allow Flash apps to be developed with Flash CS5.  Adobe expects that thousands of Flash apps should be in the App Store soon.  Even though Flash apps may now be supported on the iPhone and iPad, Apple will continue to restrict viewing Flash websites through its mobile browser.

According to PcMag, “Google applauded Apple’s new developer terms, which is said will enhance competition and provide Apple developers with a variety of advertising solutions.”

Enrolled.in

Over the past few years many people have been griping about the changes Facebook has made.  Some disappointed about the privacy settings and others about the many different changes the popular social networking site has gone through, such as becoming a corporate marketing tool.  Many people have said that they would like to go back to the original format of Facebook, that was only available to college students.

Instead of complaining, Nick Schwab has decided to do something about it.  Unlike others he did not delete his Facebook profile, rather he decided to make his own social networking and academic tool site.  He undertook this project because he was tired of Facebook’s privacy policies and what he calls Blackboard’s “professor-focused experience.”

Early this week Schwab released Enrolled.in, a site made only for college faculty and students.  The goal of the site is to, “Disrupt the education space by integrating modern social means with a traditional classroom setting as an academic tool.”  Schwab sees Enrolled.in as a site that can be used to fix the problems individuals have with Facebook and Blackboard.  Schwab is currently a student at Davenport University, where he is studying Computer Programming.

At the moment the site does not have a presence at UTD other than myself and one other student, so it is hard to get an understanding of the possibilities for the site.  I have been using the site for a little while and at the moment it does have a lot of bugs that need to be addressed.  The creator has stated that he knows of the bugs and is working on them.  Right now it seems too early to say whether the site will be a success or failure.  I can say that at the moment I am looking forward to seeing what becomes of the site.

Google Phone Service

On Wednesday, Google introduced a new service Google Phone.  Google Phone Service, is a welcomed improvement to Gmail.  Since its release Wednesday, over one million phone calls have been made.  Although voice over internet protocol is nothing new, Google has made the process easier than ever.  Once you install a voice and chat plug-in to your browser, you are ready to make phone calls with Gmail.  The best part is that the party your calling does not have to be using Google Phone Service to receive a call.  Unlike Skype which requires both parties to download software, and have it running continuously in the background.

Although according to Wired, Google is not going after Skype.  Instead they believe that Google is setting out to challenge Facebook.  Wired stated, “Google is looking to cement both Gmail and Google accounts as central to web user’s experiences.  Thats why Google didn’t release a standalone application.”  Wired, also speculated that the release of Google Phone Service will, “Set the stage for Google’s rumored fall launch of a social networking service to compete with Facebook.”

I decided to test Google Voice today, I called a family and friends around the United States.  Although my conversation was not as clear as talking with my iPhone, there was no break in the conversation.  Most importantly, I was able to make calls in areas where I would not be able to make calls with my iPhone.

Currently the service is only free to calls in the United States.

Digg 4

Earlier this month, Digg introduced the new alpha version of their website.  You could obtain access to the alpha version site through invites from select publishers.  I initially signed up for the alpha version site last week when Kevin Rose tweeted about it.  After having some initial problems accessing and registering for the alpha site (which appears to have been fixed) I returned back to the traditional site within an hour.

Yesterday Digg introduced a new design for its website.  Some of the major changes included a revamped layout, that looks very similar to Facebook.  The redesigned site allows users to personalize their news stories.  Also available is the opportunity to follow others and see what stories they have found interesting.  The goals of the redesigned website are to increase speed, allow users to personalize their content, and to promote sharing.  Now that Digg has officially made the transition to the new design, I have had an entire day to figure out how I feel about the site.

In my opinion I would prefer to go back to the traditional site.  I decided to take a look at how other Digg Users feel about the new site.  After looking at many comments posted about the sites new design, it seems that the majority consensus is Digg Users prefer the traditional site.  The most common complaints that have arisen in the comments sections seem to be:

1. Digg Users do not care for another social networking site.  This I have to agree with, I already see when my friends “digg” a story on Facebook, now its just getting repetitive.
2. Many users feel the new site has “sold out” to the mainstream publishers, leaving out the small bloggers.  This is a stab in the back to many users that use Digg because it provides stories that are not available on mainstream sites.
3. The site seems to have many bugs with the comments section.
4. With the redesign, Digg has decided to leave out the “bury” button.

With so many complaints in only 24 hours, I am looking forward to seeing Digg’s response.